Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say it’s full steam ahead for a plan to dramatically reduce the number of school districts in Vermont, despite a task force’s recommendation that they abandon the controversial proposal.

Streamlining governance in Vermont’s education system is the critical first step in a sweeping education reform law approved by Democratic lawmakers and Republican Gov. Phil Scott earlier this year. A special commission created by the Legislature to redraw district maps, however, has delivered an alternative proposal that relies on voluntary mergers, and new cooperative sharing agreements, to achieve economies of scale.

House Speaker Jill Krowinski said Wednesday that she appreciates the work done this summer and fall by the Vermont School District Redistr

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